Two months ago, after the Sox signed veteran backup catcher David Ross, it was widely presumed they would trade either Saltalamacchia or Lavarnway to address an area of greater need, namely starting pitching.

But no deal has been made, even as top free-agent catching options Russell Martin and A.J. Pierzynski came off the market, and one major league source told the Boston Herald the Red Sox have indicated "no plans to move a catcher at this time."

If the Sox don't make a trade, Lavarnway likely will open the season at Triple-A, even though he has nothing left to prove offensively at that level and demonstrated improvement behind the plate last season. But the 25-year-old still can be sent to the minors without being exposed to waivers. He batted only .157 with two homers, 12 RBI and a .459 OPS in 153 at-bats after being called up last year.

Saltalamacchia, a 27-year-old switch-hitter, figured to have some trade value after hitting a career-high 25 homers last year. But while Lavarnway is under team control through 2018, Saltalamacchia is eligible for free agency after this season, which may be diminishing his market. He also struck out 139 times in 405 at-bats and posted a .288 on-base percentage last season, and he has a spotty reputation defensively.

Ross, who turns 36 in March, is regarded as a skilled defender and game-caller. But he profiles as a backup catcher, having not started more than 47 games in a season since 2007.

One possibility that has not yet been broached: Playing any of the catchers at a different position, specifically first base, where they have yet to finalize a contract with free agent target Mike Napoli.

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MLB Team Report - Boston Red Sox - NOTES, QUOTES

--Terry Francona's upcoming book, which will be released later this month, takes some shots at the Boston Red Sox owners, according to excerpts published by WBZ in Boston.

The implication is the owners don't love baseball and put ratings and attendance above everything else.

One except describes a meeting with Theo Epstein (then the Red Sox general manager), Francona (then the Red Sox manager) and the ownership group of Larry Lucchino, Tom Werner and John Henry:

"Werner talked about slumping television ratings and whined, 'We need to start winning in more exciting fashion,'" according to an excerpt, which later quoted Epstein as saying, "They told us we didn't have any marketable players, that we needed some sizzle. We need some sexy guys. Talk about the tail wagging the dog. This is like an absurdist comedy. We'd become too big. It was the farthest thing from what we set out to be. ... (That) was evidence to me of the inherent tension between building a baseball operation the way I thought was best and the realities of being in a big market ... which had gotten bigger than any of us could handle.""

--C Mike Napoli agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract with the Red Sox back on Dec. 3, but Napoli and the team are currently discussing the possibility of shortening the length of the deal to one year because of concerns about Napoli's hip, ESPN.com reported.

If the two sides agree to the amended contract, Napoli would get only one guaranteed year, according to the report, although there may be provisions made if Napoli reaches a certain number of plate appearances or does not go on the disabled list.

Red Sox GM Ben Cherington told the Boston Herald he was optimistic an agreement with Napoli could be reached soon, although he offered no specifics.

Fox Sports reported that the Red Sox have made inquiries regarding the Nationals' Michael Morse if an agreement with Napoli cannot be reached.

--RHP Joel Hanrahan got his first look at Fenway Park on Jan. 8, touring the ballpark before meeting the media. Despite being a big-leaguer since 2007, the former National Leaguer counts Fenway as one of four AL parks he has never played in (Anaheim, Minnesota and Chicago are the others). Needless to say, that will change in April. "I thought this place was amazing," Hanrahan said. "A lot bigger than I thought it was. Obviously, a ton of history here. I got to go up on the top of the Monster and see what it's like from that angle. I know my wife is going to be begging me to sit out there one day. But it looked great. I got to go in the clubhouse for the first time and see where my new office is. I'm excited. It looks great."

Hanrahan, acquired from the Pirates at Christmas for a package that included reliever Mark Melancon, can't wait to feel the adrenaline of a Fenway crowd. "Any baseball fan wants this chance to play here," he said. "They want a chance to play in that other place in New York. As a baseball player and a fan, you want to experience that, and I'm excited to get that feeling every day this year."